An asynchronous port on the computer used to connect a serial device to the computer and capable of transmitting one bit at a time. Serial ports are usually identified on IBM compatible computers as COM (communications) ports. For example, a mouse might connect to COM1 and a modem to COM2. The picture shows the DB9 serial connector on a cable.

Where is the serial port on a computer?

The serial port is found on the back of the computer and is part of the motherboard.

  • Where is the serial port on a computer?
  • Identifying a serial port
  • What is the serial port used for?
  • Serial port pin information
  • Related information.

Identifying a serial port

In the above graphic of a serial port, you can notice the DB9 serial port connection is easy to identify. The connection is in the shape of the letter D, is a male connector, and has 9 pins.

With the introduction of USB, FireWire, and other faster solutions serial ports are rarely used compared to how often they’ve been used in the past. Also, many new computers and laptops no longer have a serial port.

What is the serial port used for?

Below is a listing of various hardware components that can be purchased and used with your serial port.

Mouse - One of the most commonly used devices for serial ports, usually used with computers with no PS/2 or USB ports and specialty mice. Modem - Another commonly used device for serial ports. Used commonly with older computers, however, is also commonly used for its ease of use. Network - One of the original uses of the serial port, which allowed two computers to connect together and allow large files to be transferred between the two. Printer - Today, this not a commonly used device for serial ports. However, was frequently used with older printers and plotters.

Serial port pin information

Below is a listing of each of the pins on the DB9 connector, their purpose, and signal name.

With many computers, the serial port is labeled as “10101” which are ones and zeros to represent binary. A user may also interpret the number “1” as the letter “I” and the zeros as the letter “O” and call it the “IOIOI” port.

As shown above, pin one is in the top-left portion of the port and pin 9 is in the bottom right.

Com port, Connection, Data cable, Hardware terms, Motherboard terms, Parallel port, Port, RS-232, Serial

Most of today’s computers are eliminating the serial port in favor of USB ports.

  • How to troubleshoot a new serial device.
  • How to set up a direct cable connection in Windows 95 and 98.
  • How to install a new port in Windows 98 or 95.
  • Modem help and support
  • Motherboard help and support.
  • Mouse and touchpad help and support.